OT... We Build the Ladders by Which We Climb.

A true craftsman shop. I see nothing OT at all and thanks for posting. No doubt a close to lost art and reminded me of when we use to work with lead prior to bondo spreaders.

 

That is one thing that the city won't out source,(hopefully). It (wood) be pretty cool if someone could get one of the used ladders from SF and use it on a firetruck there rebuilding. Then this video would be considered OT (on topic)

 

That's pretty cool. You learn something new everyday.

 

Just like a cool hot rod, a fine work of art and something to be proud of, saving lives.

 

I dont know how you find this stuff Ryan, but I am glad you do. I learn something from your posts and they inspire me to do things better.

 

Makes me proud that something built here in Cali saves lives Thanks Ryan!

 

I built Fiberglass ladders for off shore Oil operations as well as platforms that surround Power Transformers but they wouldn't be able to handle the heat!

People don't realize the technology and the science of safety... and I find that "Wood" is the most amazing building material ever and it's good to see the craftsmanship of traditional ladder building right in the Fire Department!

 

10 years as a paid on call FF and i never knew they still used wooden ladders in SF, learn something every day. Thanks Ryan!

 

My Grandfather was a master electrician, working the trade from 1927 to the early 1980s. He had a beautiful wooden ladder that he bought new right after WWII and had until he retired, and then gave it to my Uncle (my Dad's little brother). That ladder has so much character to it.

 

Sad thing is that if a contractor uses one of these classic ladders now on a job today... they will be fined and the contractor will be removed from that job and shut down until their whole business is audited by OSHA.

Apparently OSHA needs to see Safety certification stickers to determine your company's qualifications to work!

 

OSHA can suck my dogs dick.

 

What a great, interesting post.. Thanks, Ryan.

...and what a small world it is. This ^^ right here ties our car world and this post together.



Malcolm

 

right on ryan,,,i grew up in san francisco i remember those ladders, you learn something new every day man thanks for the memories

 

As a furniture maker using traditional methods of construction, it was a great off topic clip.
There is no substitute for quality. And in the end as they pointed out it is cheaper to own.

 

simply brillant.

 

The only thing missing on my Dad's 1918 & 1919 Fire Engines are the ladders- now I know where to go for some advice.

 

Great piece. I love the patina that things made of wood acquire with age.

 

love it

 

I work across the bridge as an Oakland Fireman. We use wood ladders as well as us and SF always have, but unfornately we lost our in-house ladder shop years ago. Very few Fire Depts us wood ladders today, but they are worth it over metal of fiberglass. I have visited the SF ladder shop and talked a while with those guys. I have to say that those guys have an amazing amount of pride in their work. SF is now more famous for other things but when you remember that is a very old city for the West coast, when you see the people that do the work to keep it going, those guys with raw hands and sweat in their eyes are the Isky, Vic, Clay etc... of their proffession.

 

That was great. Thank you for passing it along.

 

Bitchen!

Sam

 

Very interesting post. I am now circulating the video amongst the brotherhood up here in Canada.

 

Wish my dad took better care of the old wooden ladder he had when I was growing up.He got his from an old power company service truck they were retiring back in 1982.we left it outside and the elements reclaimed it sadly.